Thamesfield Councillors' February Update

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An update from your local ward Councillors

1. Cycle Hire coming to Putney
TfL is currently submitting applications for docking stations throughout Wandsworth including Putney. Docking stations will be installed in Putney in late 2013 and the scheme will be fully operational by Spring 2014. The cycle hire scheme will offer thousands of local people a new travel option. The aim is to locate bikes around transport hubs, town centres with some located outside these areas to give good coverage for everyone. Further details can be found at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/cyclehireTfL’s applications are arriving in stages. So far approvals have been given for two sites in Thamesfield – the first for 29 docking points by the Putney School of Art and Design on Oxford Road (2012/5952), and a further 29 docking points are approved opposite 153-171 Putney Bridge Road by Wandsworth Park (2012/5960). A decision is pending on Bective Road (2012/5950) where there has been concern as this is a very residential site.

Elsewhere consultation is underway at an Upper Richmond Road site(near Carlton Gardens and E Putney tube station) (2013/0227) at Osiers Road (2013/0230) and Northfields (not too far from the WRQ pier) (2013/0229). Consultation ends on 28 February.We have pressed for additional docking stations near to the town centre and Putney station and these sites will soon be formally submitted together with further town centre sites near the High Street.

2. Putney Pier – planning application (2012/6004)
Whilst we are keen to see investment in Putney Pier this particular application is substantial with an additional 11 permanent houseboats and further visitor vessels on top of the two existing boats. The existing pier is lengthened and a new inner platform is proposed. Many concerns have been raised because of its location in the Putney Embankment conservation area, in a constrained area next to the draw dock and the Grade II Listed Putney Bridge. Many of the rowing clubs and novice groups have expressed concerns about navigational safety since the slack water of the inner channel is used to return to the boat houses. As ward councillors we have made representations about the
application. The planning committee meeting on 6 March will make a decision on this application.

3. Mayor of London’s police and crime plan 2013 – Public meeting
Have your say on Tuesday 26 February. Part of Boris Johnson’s role as Police and Crime Commissioner for London is to produce a Police and Crime Plan setting out the crime reduction strategy for the Capital for the next four years. As part of the consultation, Town Hall meetings are being held across London and MOPAC would like to hear your views. The Wandsworth borough meeting will be held on Tuesday, 26 February 2013 at 8pm at the Wandsworth Civic Suite, Wandsworth High Street, London, SW18 2PU, and will be attended by Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh and senior Metropolitan Police officers.

4. Heathrow – consultation on Operation Freedom ends on 28 February
Current trials are underway to establish whether planes should be allowed to land on the ‘wrong runway’ during busy periods. During the trials more planes are being allowed to land during half-day respite periods when residents would normally expect a complete break from overhead planes. Under the established ‘runway alternation’ system Heathrow is only permitted to use one runway for take offs and one for landings. Their use is switched every day at 3pm. Because each runway has a slightly different flight path the changeover gives some residents a regular break from aircraft noise.

During the trial Heathrow has greater freedoms use both runways at the same time for arrivals. This has resulted in more flights landing over central London during half-day respite periods when residents would normally expect an eight hour break from aircraft noise.The Department for Transport will shortly decide whether to make the current trials permanent. Our concern is that they may base their decision on an unbalanced case which shows a modest operational benefit for the airport against an unquantifiable noise impact for residents. We have, and will continue, to call for an immediate commitment to restore the four-weekly rotation of the early morning arrivals which wake us up in the night at 4.30am as part of our continued campaign for an end to all arrivals before 6am.Residents are asked to write to Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, direct to convey the importance of this half-day’s respite and the four-weekly rotation of the early morning arrivals at patrick.mcloughlin@dft.gsi.gov.uk. You might also like to copy your email to Justine Greening at GreeningJ@parliament.uk

A further point to be aware of is that the A380 Super jumbo fleet has started to grow. The A380 is the world's largest passenger airline and requires greater separation distances on approach for landing because of wake turbulence. We are therefore now experiencing an ever increasing loss of runway alternation as Heathrow seeks to justify the use of both runways to accommodate these longer landing slots.Each noise complaint can be registered at noise_complaints@heathrow.com. Flights can be tracked at http://webtrak.bksv.com/lhr. Complaints can also be made on this site.2M has long been campaigning against attempts to end runway alternation at Heathrow and defeated the previous Government's plans for a third runway in the High Court. Find out more at www.2mgroup.org.uk or www.hacan.org.uk. Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd is wholly owned by overseas shareholders Alinda Capital Partners, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, CIC International, Ferrovial Group, GIC Special Investments and Qatar Holdings.5. Licensing application by Laksmi News, 125 Putney Bridge Road, SW15
To sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 0600 hours and 2300 hours Monday to Sunday. Last date for representations is on 2 March.

6. Road works
On Lower Richmond Road: carriageway restrictions with 2-way signals between Bemish Road and Waterman Street for night BT works 2200 to 0500 on 25-27 February.

Upper Richmond Road: at junctions with Putney High Street and Putney Hill. Traffic will be controlled by 4-way traffic signals for TFL's traffic signals modernisation between 2200 and 0500 on 2 March.

The Women's Eights Head of the River Race takes place on 9 March on Putney Embankment. Local traffic management measures in place 0800 to 1800. 7. Potholes
After freezing weather, some potholes begin to develop. If you are aware of a pothole you can report it at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/forms/form/181/street_defects

Let us know if you any concerns which you’d like us to take up.

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Best wishes
Cllrs Jim Maddan, Mike Ryder and Rosemary Torrington
Thamesfield ward

February 28, 2013